This watchdog blog, by journalist Norman Oder, offers analysis, commentary, and reportage about the $4.9 billion project to build the Barclays Center arena and 16 high-rise buildings at a crucial site in Brooklyn. Dubbed Atlantic Yards by developer Forest City Ratner in 2003, it was rebranded Pacific Park in 2014 after the Chinese government-owned Greenland Group bought a 70% stake in 15 towers. New York State still calls it Atlantic Yards. Contact: AtlanticYardsReport[at]hotmail.com

Their starkest difference relates to their home state; the Devils have embraced New Jersey, while the Nets are increasingly shifting their focus to a future in Brooklyn that is slated to begin in the 2012-2013 season at a new arena in Atlantic Yards.

"Unfortunately, New Jersey never gave the team enough support on a consistent basis," said Fred Mangione, the Nets senior vice president of ticket sales and marketing, though he added, "We market and sell in New Jersey like we're never leaving."

Still, the team's Midtown headquarters is an ode to the outerborough. The team may be pitching wealthy potential suite-holders from Manhattan in Manhattan, but the marketing pitch is all Brooklyn.

"New residents are using this idea of authenticity to soften their entrance into Brooklyn," observed academic and former Brooklynite Jonathan Silverman at the Dreamland Pavilion conference in October 2009.

The borough's touch points

The Journal article continues:

A timeline from the discovery of the borough in 1609 stretches through the hallway, marking historic events inside and outside of sports (the birth of Jerry Seinfeld is noted). Four large screens show the construction site of the new Barclays Center in real time; a video celebrates Brooklyn's history and hipness.

All told, the pitch to potential suite-holders barely mentions the Nets at all.

"It's all about Brooklyn and it's all about the building," said Mr. Mangione, who said the team has commitments for 30 suites, though they have not begun selling regular tickets to the new building. "Yes, the team is there, but it's just as important for us to pitch the concerts and the boxing and everything else."

Though they have consulted with other local teams and NBA franchises with new stadiums, Mr. Mangione was blunt about the different challenge the Nets face. "All those other buildings will talk about their teams first," he said. "Those guys kind of have their history built. Our history is the borough right now."